North Carolina Grants for Single Mothers in 2026 (How to Apply)

1

NC resident with proof of address — utility bill, lease, or official mail

2

Primary caregiver of at least one minor child under 18

3

Income within limits — most NC programs use 100% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level

4

Valid NC ID and Social Security Number for you and your children

5

Proof of income — two recent pay stubs, benefits letter, or last year’s tax return

6

Child’s birth certificate or custody documentation

Work First Family Assistance (TANF)

NCDHHS

North Carolina’s TANF program provides short-term cash plus job training and employment services. A family of 3 with no income can receive up to $272 per month. The Benefit Diversion option pays a one-time lump sum (up to $816 for a family of 3) instead of monthly benefits — useful if you have a one-time crisis. Emergency Assistance covers unexpected hardships. The lifetime limit is 60 months total.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) & Child Tax Credit

Federal / State

If you work and have children, you likely qualify for refundable federal tax credits that put real money back in your pocket. The EITC can be worth several thousand dollars, depending on your income and the number of children.  File your taxes even if you think you owe nothing — this money is yours to claim.

NC Unemployment Benefits

NCDEI

If you were recently laid off or lost hours, North Carolina unemployment pays up to approximately $350 per week while you look for work. Apply within 14 days of losing your job for the fastest approval. This is income replacement, not charity — you paid into it while you worked.

Medicaid & NC Health Choice

NCDHHS

These are the best NC grants for parents that offer full health coverage for low-income families, including doctor visits, maternity care, mental health, dental, and prescriptions. NC Health Choice covers children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. New federal work requirements may affect eligibility in 2026 — contact your county DSS for the latest update.

NC MedAssist — Free Prescription Medications

Nonprofit

Free prescription medications for up to one year for uninsured or under-insured North Carolina residents earning under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. NC MedAssist works with pharmaceutical companies to provide brand-name and generic drugs at no cost. If your prescriptions are taking a serious bite out of your budget, this is worth checking immediately.

SNAP (Food and Nutrition Services)

NCDHHS

Monthly food benefits loaded onto an EBT card — a family of 3 can receive approximately $785 per month for groceries. Note: Federal work requirement rules are changing in 2026, so check your eligibility at each recertification. Apply online or at your county DSS office. Many families apply and qualify for these programs the same day.

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

NCDHHS

Free food, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals for pregnant moms, new mothers, and children up to age 5. WIC covers specific healthy foods like milk, cheese, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and baby formula. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. This is one of the most underused North Carolina grants for single mothers with young children.

SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) — $120 Per Child

2026

$120 per eligible child (ages 7 to 16) loaded on a debit-style card for summer grocery shopping. Families already on SNAP, Work First, or Medicaid under 185% FPL are often auto-enrolled. Apply through your child’s school or county DSS by August 15, 2026, if you are not automatically enrolled. Do not miss this one — it is easy money for school-age kids.

Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher Program

HUD / NCHFA

You pay 30% of your income toward rent and the voucher covers the rest. Apply through your local Public Housing Authority — most counties have waitlists, so apply to multiple if you have flexibility. This is the most powerful ongoing housing subsidy available through North Carolina grants for single mothers.

LIHEAP — Heating & Cooling Bill Help

NCDHHS

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program pays your heating or cooling bills — up to approximately $500 as a one-time payment. Applications for the LIHEAP NC Single Mother Programs open January 1 through March 31, 2026, or until funds run out. Apply early because this program runs out every year before the deadline.

Habitat for Humanity — Home Repair & Build Program

Nonprofit

Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina partners with low-income families to build, repair, and improve homes at affordable mortgage rates — often 0% interest. You contribute sweat equity hours (helping build your own or a neighbor’s home) in exchange for the subsidy. This is one of the most impactful programs for single moms who want homeownership on one income. Local NC affiliates operate in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and most counties statewide.

NC Home Advantage Mortgage — Down Payment Help

NCHFA

Up to $8,000 in down payment assistance as a 0% deferred second mortgage — forgiven after 15 years if you stay in the home. The Community Partners Loan Pool adds up to $50,000 in interest-free down payment loans for eligible buyers in partnership with nonprofits. Together, these make owning a home realistic on one income for North Carolina single moms.

USDA Single Family Direct Home Loans (Section 502)

USDA Rural

The USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program provides low-interest loans (as low as 1% with payment assistance) to help very low and low income families buy, build, or repair a home in eligible rural and suburban NC areas. No down payment is required, and payment subsidies can reduce your monthly mortgage to as little as 24% of your income. A strong option for single moms outside major cities — many NC counties qualify.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) — Free Home Upgrades

NC Energy

The Weatherization Assistance Program sends a free crew to insulate your home, seal air leaks, upgrade heating and cooling systems, and install energy-efficient windows — at zero cost to you. Average households save $350 or more per year on energy bills after weatherization. Among North Carolina grants for single mothers, this one is often overlooked but pays off every single month. Applied through your local Community Action Agency.

Child Care Subsidy Program

County DSS

NC pays most of your childcare costs while you work, attend school, or participate in job training. Eligible families typically pay only around 10% of childcare costs — the subsidy covers the rest directly to your provider. Apply through your county DSS. This is help for single mothers in North Carolina that makes full-time work actually possible.

Head Start & Early Head Start

Federal

Free preschool and full family support services for low-income children ages birth to 5. Head Start includes health screenings, dental checkups, meals, and parent engagement programs, all at no cost. Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers. These programs do much more than childcare and are worth applying for even if you are on a waitlist.

NC Child Support Services — Collect What You Are Owed

NCDHHS

NC Child Support Services helps single mothers establish paternity, obtain court-ordered child support, and actually collect payments, including locating a missing parent, enforcing wage garnishment, suspending driver’s licenses for non-payment, and intercepting tax refunds. The service is free if your family receives Work First, Medicaid, or Foster Care. It is low-cost ($25/year) for all other families. This is not technically among North Carolina grants for single mothers, but it may bring in more money than any grant on this list.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal

Up to $7,395 per year (2026–2027) for low-income undergraduate students; does not have to be paid back. A single mom household of 3 earning up to approximately $58,095 may qualify. File the FAFSA as early as possible each year. The Pell Grant is the foundation of college grants for single mothers in North Carolina and stacks with the Next NC Scholarship below.

Next NC Scholarship

State

At least $3,000 per year for community college students or $5,000 per year for public university students from households earning under $80,000. Stack this with the Pell Grant to cover most or all of your tuition. North Carolina created this scholarship specifically so that income is not a barrier to higher education for families like yours.

Single-Mom Scholarships via CFNC

CFNC

CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina) hosts a searchable scholarship database that you can filter specifically for single parents. Notable scholarships include the Vickie Drum Memorial Scholarship ($2,000), the ANSWER Scholarship’s “Sending Moms to College” program (Mecklenburg area), and the Forgivable Education Loans for Service ($7,000 to $14,000 forgiven if you work in NC shortage fields like nursing or teaching).

NCWorks — Free Job Training & Placement

State

NCWorks Career Centers offer free job training, resume help, interview coaching, job placement services, and transportation assistance for low-income families earning under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Pairing NCWorks with programs, like the childcare subsidy and SNAP, removes nearly every barrier to returning to work. Walk in or apply online, no appointment required at most locations.

NC 211 — Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, United Way

Call 211

Call or text 211 to reach a live operator who can connect you to emergency rent help, utility bill payments, food pantries, clothing, and more — all locally specific to your county. Organizations like the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and United Way all take referrals through 211. If you have an urgent situation today, this is your first call.

Women’s Fund of North Carolina

Grants

The Women’s Fund of North Carolina focuses on housing security for women and girls in 2026. Applications to nonprofits open August 7 through September 8, 2026 — these are organization-level North Carolina grants for single mothers, but the funded organizations provide direct housing, emergency, and financial support to individual moms. Look for programs in your area funded by this initiative.

ID, proof of address, SSNs, income proof, and the child’s birth certificate. Having these ready cuts application time in half.

One DSS application can screen you for SNAP, Medicaid, Work First, and childcare subsidy at the same time. Start there.

Rent due, lights about to be cut off, or no food — call 211 first. They connect you to same-day local help.

Opens October 1 each year. File as early as possible to maximize Pell Grant and Next NC Scholarship eligibility.